S.B. 120 Enrolled

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TARGET SHOOTING AND WILDFIRE REGULATIONS

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2013 GENERAL SESSION

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STATE OF UTAH

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Chief Sponsor: Margaret Dayton

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House Sponsor:
Curtis Oda

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LONG TITLE
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General Description:
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This bill provides the state forester with the authority to restrict target shooting in areas
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where hazardous conditions exist.
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Highlighted Provisions:
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This bill:
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. allows the state forester to restrict or prohibit target shooting in areas where
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hazardous conditions exist.
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Money Appropriated in this Bill:
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None
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Other Special Clauses:
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None
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Utah Code Sections Affected:
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AMENDS:
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65A-8-212, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 136
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Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
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Section 1.
Section
65A-8-212
is amended to read:
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65A-8-212. Power of state forester to close hazardous areas -- Violations of an
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order closing an area.
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(1) (a) If the state forester finds conditions in a given area in the state to be extremely
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hazardous, "extremely hazardous" means categorized as "extreme" under a nationally
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recognized standard for rating fire danger, he shall close those areas to any forms of use by the

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public, or to limit that use.
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(b) [The closure shall include the prohibition of open fires for the period of time he
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finds necessary.] The closure shall include, for the period of time the state forester considers
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necessary, the prohibition of open fires, and may include restrictions and prohibitions on:
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(i) smoking;
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(ii) the use of vehicles or equipment;
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(iii) welding, cutting, or grinding of metals;
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(iv) fireworks;
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(v) explosives; or
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(vi) the use of firearms for target shooting.
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(c) Any restriction or closure relating to firearms use:
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(i) shall be done with support of the duly elected county sheriff of the affected county
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or counties;
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(ii) shall undergo a formal review by the State Forester and County Sheriff every 14
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days; and
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(iii) may not prohibit a person from legally possessing a firearm or lawfully
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participating in a hunt.
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(d) The State Forester and County Sheriff shall:
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(i) agree to the terms of any restriction or closure relating to firearms use;
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(ii) reduce the agreement to writing;
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(iii) sign the agreement indicating approval of its terms and duration; and
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(iv) complete the steps in Subsections (1)(d)(i) through (d)(iii) at each 14 day review
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and at termination of the restriction or closure.
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(2) Nothing in this chapter prohibits any resident within the area from full and free
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access to his home or property, or any legitimate use by the owner or lessee of the property.
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(3) The order or proclamation closing or limiting the use in the area shall set forth:
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(a) the exact area coming under the order;
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(b) the date when the order becomes effective; and

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(c) if advisable, the authority from whom permits for entry into the area may be
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obtained.
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(4) Any entry into or use of any area in violation of this section is a class B
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misdemeanor.